The Ordeal of Cold Water

By Crusader1307

A ‘’popular’’ concept of ‘’Judgment’’ used against Witches or Persons accused of Fraud in 8^th Century France (and quite a few other Nations at the time), The ‘’Ordeal of Cold Water’’ was an effective and painful procedure. Variations of this ‘’theme’’ were used in Russia and Germany as well. The basic concept was to take an accused Person and tie Their hands and feet with rope. A long secondary rope was attached around the waist. Performed in Winter Seasons mostly, a suitable running River of ice cold water was procured. The Accused was then ‘’thrown into’’ the rushing, freezing water. IF They survived for a pre-determined (by Judges) period, They were seen as innocent. Conversely, The Accuser was then ‘’put to The Sword’’ for ‘’telling a falsehood’’. In other variations, a Victim was likewise secured – except inside a sealed barrel. Small holes were made throughout the wood to allow the freezing water and cold to ‘’flood inside’’. Again, after a certain time period, The Accused was ‘’fished out’’ and the barrel opened……with the same penalties applied to both Victim and Accuser. The ‘’Ordeal of Cold Water’’ was fall ‘’out of fashion’’ by the 11^th Century.